Call for Applications: Yarra Ranges Council Annual Grant in Australia

Deadline: 14-Jul-25

The Yarra Ranges Council is seeking applications for its Annual Grants Program to harness community energy and ideas to promote a more connected and healthy Yarra Ranges.

These grants help groups and organisations respond to opportunities, creative inspiration and local needs to deliver outcomes in communities. Grant funded projects leverage local knowledge, nurture networks, and support organisations, community groups and artists to promote community wellbeing.

Categories

• The Annual Grants Program provides funding in the following categories:
  • Festivals and Events
  • Arts and Heritage
  • Community Development

Priorities

• The following areas reflect key priorities in their communities. Your application should tell them how your project will address one or more of the following priorities:
  • Health and Wellbeing: Council invites applications that address the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
  • Environment: This category supports environmental sustainability.
  • Reconciliation: Projects in this category will strengthen the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Young People: If you are a not-for-profit organisation, you can apply or auspice a young person to apply for an Annual Grant under this category. Your program must support Yarra Ranges young people aged 12 to 25 years.
  • Early Years, Middle Years and Families: This category is for innovative projects that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people 0-14 years, and their families living in the Yarra Ranges.
  • Healthy and Active Ageing: The Healthy Ageing category aims to promote innovative activities and initiatives that support individuals aged 50 years and over living in Yarra Ranges.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants need to be:
  • An incorporated not-for-profit community group/organisation with an ABN;
  • An unincorporated not-for-profit community group/organisation auspiced by an incorporated organisation;
  • An individual/artist, in the Arts & Heritage funding category only (must be auspiced by an incorporated organisation)
  • Organisations, community groups and artists/individuals applying for a grant must demonstrate how their project will directly benefit residents of the Yarra Ranges. Applicants based outside the region can apply if the project outcomes benefit and occur in Yarra Ranges.
  • Applicants must commit to obtaining all necessary permits related to the funded activity, particularly for festivals, see section on Planning and other permits at page 18 of the Grants Guide. Council funding cannot be provided unless all necessary permits are in place.
  • Applicants must have successfully completed all reporting requirements for previous Yarra Ranges Council grants and have no outstanding debts with Council. If unsure, please contact the Grants Team.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of at least $10 Million Public Liability insurance.
  • Child Safe Standards compliance is required if projects involve direct or incidental contact with children.
  • Applicants agree to acknowledge funding from Yarra Ranges Council in promotion, consistent with Council’s branding guidelines.
  • Applicants must consent to providing evidence of how funds were spent and outline project benefits through an acquittal process.
  • Purchase of food associated with community relief projects is capped at $500.
  • The grant activity must take place during 2026.
  • Applicants must submit all supporting material when applying. Late submission of supporting documents will not be accepted.
  • Only one application can have made in each stream of the Annual Grants. Organisations cannot receive more than two grants in total.
  • Applicants must talk through their project ideas with a Council Officer before applying. Please see contact details at the end of this document.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Funding will not be granted for:
  • A program, service or activity that is primarily considered the responsibility of State or Federal Government; for example, the core business of schools, hospitals or other services.
  • Activities that take place outside the Yarra Ranges (including touring costs).
  • A new building, capital works or facility maintenance works.
  • Ongoing staff salaries or administration costs not specific to the project.
  • Purchase of equipment only. Funding for equipment will be considered for a small component of the project (up to 15% of the requested grant amount).
  • Activities that take place at inappropriate venues; for example, gambling venues.
  • Activities that are sponsored by gambling businesses.
  • Political organisations will not be funded.
  • Applications with the singular purpose of promoting religion.
  • Training, study or academic research in Australia or overseas.
  • Applications that are solely for attending forums, workshops, conferences or for organising conferences.
  • Overnight camps/activities
  • Competitions, prizes, award exhibitions or exclusively fundraising events.
  • Programs cannot be funded retrospectively (i.e. they cannot have already occurred).
  • Major Council Partners are not eligible to apply and have been notified. This does not refer to 2023-27 Partnership Program recipients.
  • Jumping castles and inflatables are not permitted.

For more information, visit Yarra Ranges Council.